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Power and automation technology group, ABB, has been chosen to supply the power system for a new hybrid car ferry serving a key passenger route in Norway.

Designed with flexibility in mind, the vessel will run as a hybrid, but can be modified to run as a fully electric ferry with a shore charging system.

In a statement, Sindre Saetre, ABB's Director of Marine and Ports in Norway, said: "This is another example of how ABB is at the forefront of energy storage solutions for the maritime industry. Ship and ferry owners across the Nordic region and Scandinavia realize ABB has flexible power systems for electric vessels."

The news comes just months after ABB secured an order to supply a power system for the Seasight hybrid sightseeing ferry, which will operate in the UNESCO-listed Naerøyfjord.

The centrepiece of ABB's scope of supply is the Onboard DC Grid system - a modular electrical system platform that makes use of direct current to connect energy sources with consumers.

Two 270-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery packs are designed to allow the engines to operate more efficiently at variable speed, which in turn reduces fuel consumption and creates emissions savings.

The batteries will be used for 'peak shaving', which means that the batteries will help meet the power demand, thus allowing the generators to work at a more optimal level. The vessel owner, Torghatten Trafikkselskap, will have the option to add another sixteen battery packs and a shore connection in order to operate the vessel in 'fully electric' mode.

"Energy storage has been one of the most important areas of focus for our research and development team," said Juha Koskela, Managing Director of ABB's Marine and Ports. "We recognize batteries have an important role to play on a range of vessels and is technology for the present as well as the future."

ABB's power system is part of the total electric system which is being supplied by Acel. The so-called MM63 ferry, designed by Multi Maritime, will be built by Fiskarstrand Verft in western Norway. The planned capacity of the ferry is 60 cars and 250 passengers.